South African guidelines on the determination of death
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Date
Authors
Thomson, D.
Joubert, I.
De Vasconcellos, K.
Paruk, Fathima
Mokogong, S.
McCulloch, M.
Morrow, B.
Bakeer, D.
Rossouw, B.
Mdladla, N.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health and Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
Death is a medical occurrence that has social, legal, religious and cultural consequences requiring common clinical standards for its diagnosis
and legal regulation. This document compiled by the Critical Care Society of Southern Africa outlines the core standards for determination
of death in the hospital context. It aligns with the latest evidence-based research and international guidelines and is applicable to the South
African context and legal system. The aim is to provide clear medical standards for healthcare providers to follow in the determination
of death, thereby promoting safe practices and high-quality care through the use of uniform standards. Adherence to such guidelines will
provide assurance to medical staff, patients, their families and the South African public that the determination of death is always undertaken
with diligence, integrity, respect and compassion, and is in accordance with accepted medical standards and latest scientific evidence.
The consensus guidelines were compiled using the AGREE II checklist with an 18-member expert panel participating in a three-round
modified Delphi process. Checklists and advice sheets were created to assist with application of these guidelines in the clinical environmen
Description
Also published as: Thomson, D., Joubert, I., De Vasconcellos, K. et al. South African guidelines on the determination of death. Southern African Journal of Critical Care 2021, vol. 37, no. 1b, pp. 41-54. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAJCC.2021v37i1b.466.
Keywords
Determination of death, Death, Medical standards, Healthcare providers
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Thomson, D., Joubert, I., De Vasconcellos, K. et al. South African guidelines on the determination of death. South African Medical Journal 2021, vol. 111, no. 4b, pp. 367-380. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2021.v111i4b.15200.